Robert Livingston's Colorado football defense will have shared characteristics with last DC's

First-year Colorado football defensive coordinator Robert Livingston will have a defense similar to former Buffs DC/current Auburn co-DC Charles Kelly's, while also lending from Cincinnati Bengals DC Lou Anarumo, according to DNVR's Jake Schwanitz.

"While Livingston will have certainly learned valuable information under Anarumo, Colorado’s defense will likely have more structure and some characteristics that we saw last season under Charles Kelly," Schwanitz wrote.

Schwanitz explained Anarumo's tendencies that should be evident in Livingston's schemes and even projected where one of this offseason's transfers can fit into it all.

"Under Amarulo, Cincinnati’s defensive backs play all over the field," Schwanitz prefaced before saying, "He routinely mixed up one and two high-safety shells and often utilized the nickel defender to bring an extra helmet in the run game and create pressure on opposing quarterbacks. Former Liberty cornerback Preston Hodge could be a Swiss Army knife for Livingston and Colorado in 2024."

Robert Livingston sets high bar for his Colorado football defense

Now that we know the product, we can understand what Livingston sees in his defensive potential in Boulder: a first-time chance to use what he's learned from greats to build schemes that capitalize on the talents of his DBs, primarily safeties, and allow him to trust the individual talents of his star CBs (Travis Hunter, Cormani McClain) in one-on-one coverage.

Livingston sent a highly-confident message in what he'll do with CU just weeks after his hiring.

“I can promise you we’ll put a product on the field that will make you proud to be there, Livingston said via CUBuffs.com (h/t BuffsBeat). "I can promise you we’re going to do great things…you don't want to miss out. So if you’re not on the train at the beginning, there ain’t gonna be no room at the end. It’s a day-by-day process.

"We’re phenomenally blessed. From the moment I’ve been here, this community has been as supportive as anything I’ve ever seen. And I just can’t wait to put a product out there and be a part of something bigger than myself that all of Buff Nation can be proud of.”

Hard not to trust Livingston considering his track record. "Prime Weekend" will be our first chance to see if his defense is as advertised.